Martha's family was from Michoacan, Mexico before they moved to a small town in Texas when she was five years old. She speaks of their intense transition and how it changed how she perceived herself.

During her youth, Martha's parents explored various religious practices and eventually found their way to the Baha'i Faith. This practice supported their growth as they changed traditional gender roles and painstakingly found a new way to be a family. Now, Martha is the Program Coordinator for Green Acre Baha'i School, Retreat and Conference Center in Eliot, ME.